Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2009-10: Brock Nelson played for Warroad High School in Minnesota. In 31 games for Warroad, Nelson scored 53 goals and added 42 assists for 95 points. He finished with a +55 rating on the season. Nelson was a finalist for the Mr. Hockey Award as Minnesota's top high school hockey player. Nelson is the nephew of former NHL player and 1980 Team USA member Dave Christian.

2010-11: Nelson saw significant time as a freshman on a North Dakota team that featured one of the most prolific groups of forwards in college hockey. In 42 games for the Fighting Sioux, who captured the WCHA regular season and playoff crowns, he scored 8 goals with 13 assists and was +1 with 27 PMs. Nelson scored 4 of his 8 goals on the power play.

2011-12: Nelson made his pro hockey debut – appearing in four regular season games and two playoff contests with AHL Bridgeport after signing a three-year entry-level contract with the Islanders following his sophomore season at the University of North Dakota. He had no points nor penalties and was minus-one in a limited role for the Sound Tigers. Nelson was the Fighting Sioux' leading scorer before signing his contract in April; scoring 28 goals with 19 assists and finishing plus-18 with 4 penalty minutes. Ten of his 28 goals were scored on the power play. North Dakota won the WCHA playoff championship after finishing fourth in the regular season before falling to WCHA regular season champion Minnesota in the WCHA West Regional final.

2012-13: Nelson made his NHL debut in the decisive Game 6 of the Islanders playoff series with Pittsburgh and was the leading scorer for New York's AHL affiliate Bridgeport in his first pro season. He had no points and was -1 in just under eight minutes of ice-time in the Penguins' 4-3 overtime victory. Nelson scored 25 goals with 27 assists and was an even plus/minus with 52 penalty minutes in 66 games for Bridgeport. The Sound Tigers missed the AHL playoffs after finishing third in the Northeast Division.

Talent Analysis

Nelson has great speed to go along with a good-sized frame. He also has a very powerful shot and is able to get all of his weight behind it. He is very strong and uses his size to his advantage in both the faceoff circle and in the defensive zone.

Future

Nelson is playing for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL in the 2013-14 season, but could see action with the Islanders during the season.

Photo: New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson (L) was the leading scorer for Team USA at the 2015 IIHF World Championship, while linemate and Nashville Predators prospect Steve Moses (R) chipped in a goal and an assist (courtesy of Robert Hradil/EQ Images/Icon Sportswire)

Brock Nelson became a full time NHL player this season with the New York Islanders, putting up 20 goals and 42 points in the process. He then followed that with six goals and nine points in nine games at the 2015 IIHF World Championship. Clearly elated with Team USA’s 3-0 bronze medal victory, Nelson shared his thoughts on the tournament after the game.Read more»

Photo: Former SKA St. Petersburg forward and Chicago Blackhawks prospect Artemi Panarin signed his first NHL contract fresh off winning the 2015 Gagarin Cup, the KHL’s championship trophy (courtesy of Matej Divizna/Getty Images)

Artemi Panarin, the newest Chicago Blackhawk appears ready for the NHL, but before he gets there, an appearance at the 2015 IIHF World Championship is on tap. Likewise, top prospect Jack Eichel is playing in the tournament, and performing well at that. The human highlight reel strikes again for the Erie Otters, as Connor McDavid creates another present for the hockey world. The Washington Capitals are headed to Game Seven soon, but they wouldn’t have made it there if not for McDavid’s former teammate in Erie, Andre Burakovsky. The Los Angeles Kings may not have made the playoffs this year, but their AHL team is in the midst of a nice run towards the Calder Cup thanks in part to two of the Kings’ prospects. Read more»

Photo: Ryan Strome celebrates his first NHL goal on January 6th, 2014. Strome has spent the majority of the 2013-14 season in the AHL, but should see more time in the NHL down the stretch. (courtesy of Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)

The New York Islanders have amassed a very deep and talented prospect pool. Their patient approach over the last few years has created a solid foundation and should pay dividends down the road.

Photo: Undrafted forward Mike Halmo is having a strong year with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, where he has managed 12 goals, 12 assists, and 85 penalty minutes in 38 AHL games. (Courtesy of Fred Kfoury/Icon SMI)

The New York Islanders have built an impressive pool of prospects at the professional level. The team has done fairly well at the NHL Draft over the past several years and has found a lot of good talent in the middle and later rounds.

Photo: Forward Brock Nelson is one of many prospects who have played some NHL games for the Islanders this season. Nelson was selected 30th overall in the 2010 NHL Draft. (courtesy of Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon SMI)

The New York Islanders are starting to reap the rewards of high drafting and solid player development. After years of finishing at the bottom of the standings, the organization has developed a core of young talent who led them to the playoffs in 2013. More help is still on the way too, as the Islanders have quality prospects at every position.